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AUSTRALIA-RELIGION-CHURCH-ABUSE
Australian Catholics vow not to repeat ‘shameful’ history of child abuse
SYDNEY, Aug 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Australian Catholic leaders vowed Friday
that the church’s “shameful” history of child abuse will never be repeated,
but rejected a national inquiry’s call to report such assaults disclosed in
confession.
“Many bishops failed to listen, failed to believe, and failed to act,” said
Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge. “The bishops
and leaders of religious orders pledge today: Never again.”
“The only recommendation we can’t accept relates to removing the seal of
confession,” he said.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0821 hrs